Restaurant Manager: Tips for Success

Many people believe that an average of nine out of 10 restaurants find themselves closing their doors within the first year. This statistic may seem a tad bit absurd, and for a good reason, because it simply is not true; however, there is no denying that restaurants do have a high rate of not being able to keep their heads above water.

To help fight these odds, restaurant owners must make sure that they employ workers who can effectively manage their establishments. To be a good restaurant manager, a person will need to be business-savvy, have great customer relationship skills as well as be incredibly creative.

#1: Create a Business Plan

A good manager will need to know the ins-and-outs of a restaurant's business plan, including its short-term and long-term goals. If a manager is left in the dark about these objectives, there is no way for the person to work towards them. Within the business plan, it should be defined how the restaurant will be made distinguishable from other restaurants in the same area; this way, the manager can implement strategies that will build an effective brand for the restaurant.

#2: Create a Budget, and Stick to It

Restaurant managers must have top-notch accounting skills. They should know how to develop efficient budgets, and more importantly, they must have the discipline to stick to a budget. They must be financially savvy, carrying out techniques that can be used to decrease overhead expenses while at the same time making sure that the restaurant is operated in an effective manner.

#3: Good Interior Design Taste

Good restaurant managers are those that can effectively place tables and chairs within the dining area of a restaurant. They should be able to coordinate napkin, table and chair colors with the theme of the restaurant and much more. When it comes to feeding guests in large numbers, a manager must know how to go about accommodating such groups. Most importantly, good restaurant management will make sure that the kitchen, dining and bathroom areas are clean at all times.

#4: Good Hiring Skills

Restaurant managers are responsible for hiring other employees. Everyone from a cleaning lady to a server to a line cook must be interviewed and hired by a restaurant manager. Keeping this in mind, a manager must have top-notch hiring skills. He or she should be able to determine during interviews which applicants can be trusted, which ones will be a good fit for the company and more. Above all, the manager should be able to determine which applicants will be able to provide superb customer service. Without great customer service, a new restaurant is sure to go under.

#5: Great Public Relations Skills

A restaurant manager must carry out a wide range of duties. Such duties include mingling with customers while they are dining. From walking around to each table to ask about customers' dining experiences to offering discounts for those who are not completely satisfied, a restaurant manager must have great public relations skills. In addition to effectively communicating with customers, the manager must also be able to communicate well with coworkers.

**One of the best things a person can do to become a good restaurant manager is to earn a formal degree in restaurant management. This type of degree can usually be earned in two to four years.